Hurley snubs baby's dad
2002-12-18 08:46
London - British actress Liz Hurley has refused an offer of £100 000 a year from US millionaire Steve Bing, the father of her baby son, towards the child's upbringing, newspapers reported on Wednesday.
Bing has said that he would pay the money into a trust for their son Damian.
But Hurley (37) hit back, saying the money was "not wanted or welcome".
Bing had long said he was keen to make "generous" provision for the youngster - born in April - if he turned out to be the father.
DNA tests in June showed he was indeed the father. He wants to make payments of £100 000 each year until the youngster is 18.
But in a statement on Tuesday Hurley said: "I have always made it perfectly clear to Stephen Bing, the father of my son Damian, that I don't want any financial help from him whatsoever.
"I know that £100 000 a year is an enormous sum of money to Mr Bing and I fully appreciate his generosity towards his son.
"However my position remains the same. The money is not wanted or welcome. Damian and I are managing very well by ourselves."
The statement suggests there is still a great degree of bitterness between the pair.
Bing's representatives had said he would pay £100 000 each year from January 1 "until Damian is 18 or a further (court) order is made".
The statement added: "Mr Bing is delighted that the matter has been concluded and that he is able to honour his pledge to make generous provision for his son."
A spokesperson said the money would be paid into a trust fund for Damian regardless of whether Hurley said she refused the money.
"It's not the mother's right to turn away support for the child," the spokesperson said.
Film producer Bing, who is reported to be heir to a 275-million-pound fortune, began legal proceedings two weeks after the April 4 birth to establish the identity of the father.
Former model Hurley was in a year-long relationship with Bing following her split from long-term love, British actor Hugh Grant.
She immediately named Bing as the father when it emerged she was pregnant, but was "deeply distraught" when Bing issued a statement casting doubt on her claims. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA